After 15 seasons, 54 international appearances and a record 281 appearances for Harlequins, Easter announced his retirement on the 29th July 2016. This allowed Easter to focus on his new role as Defence Coach at Harlequins.

On the 2010 England tour to Australia he was named man of the match in the second test victory 21–20, helping secure England's first win down under for seven years. Later that year he captained his country during the autumn internationals against Samoa which England won 26–13.

He won the 2011 Six Nations, despite England losing 24-8 to Ireland which meant they missed out on the grand slam. In spite of the defeat however, he lifted the Six Nations trophy as England ended their 8-year wait for a title.

He was involved in the 2011 Rugby Union World Cup and was reported to be the player to have reacted to England's quarter-final defeat by France in Auckland by joking: "There's £35k just gone down the toilet."

Between 2012-2014, despite being regarded as the 'best No. 8 in England', he found his road into the England squad blocked, but during that time enjoyed success with Harlequins helping them to win the Amlin Cup in 2011 and the club's first-ever English Premiership title in 2012 and LV Cup the following year.

After being in the international wilderness for just over three-years Nick was recalled to the England squad for the 2015 Six Nations. In the opening game he came on as a substitute for England in their 21–16 win over Wales at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. In the second game, he scored a try against Italy and thus became the oldest player ever to score for England. He won his 50th cap away to Ireland.

After being overlooked for the initial 31-man England squad for the 2015 Rugby World Cup, Easter was called up as an injury replacement for Billy Vunipola. He put in a Man of the Match performance in England's final World cup game against Uruguay, scoring 3 tries.[10]